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Stephen Decker
MS, CEP
Academic Training
Ph.D. in Kinesiology
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
2022 - 2018
- Mentor: Gwenael Layec, Ph.D. PubMed
- Dissertation: The Role of Sirtuins and BH4 in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction
- Mastered High-Resolution Respirometry, and Doppler Ultrasound by conducting dozens of independent experiments. Proficient in 31P-MRS and immunohistochemistry. I have also performed pilot experiments assing H2O2 and mitochondrial membrane potential in permeabilized skeletal muscle.
PhD. in Nutrition & Integrative Physiology
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
2018 - 2017
- Mentor: Gwenael Layec, Ph.D.
- Transferred to the University of Massachusetts Amherst
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
2017 - 2016
- Supervisor: Dennis T Villareal, MD PubMed
- Responsible for all clinical research exercise testing, prescription, and supervision over exercise sessions with high-risk clinical populations. All work was part of several clinical trials where I also analyzed and prepared the data for reporting.
- Mastered VO2max tests with EKG, phlebotomy, muscle performance tests, and DXA scans by performing hundreds of successful tests on high-risk clinical populations, including elderly individuals with diagnosed heart diseases, PAD, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and hypogonadism.
M.S. in Kinesiology
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
2016 - 2014
- Mentor: Dr. James Rowe
- Thesis: Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Postprandial Lipemia and Glycemia
B.S. in Kinesiology
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
2014 - 2010
- Graduated with honors, Cum Laude
Publications
Skeletal muscle Mitochondrial Adaptations Induced by Long-term Cigarette Smoke Exposure
Decker, ST, Kwon, OS, Zhao, J, Hoidal, JR, Hueckstadt, T, Richardosn, RS, Sanders, KA, Layec, G
N/A
2021
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sampling Arterial Input Function (AIF) from Peripheral Arteries: Comparison of a Temporospatial-feature Based Method Against Conventional Manual Method [PubMed]
Li, X, Conlin, CC, Decker, ST, Hu, N, Mueller, M, Khor, L, Hanrahan, C, Layec, G, Lee, VS, Zhang, JL
N/A
2019
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) Mediates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Skeletal Muscle Adaptations in C57BL/6 Mice
Decker, ST, Kwon, OS, Zhao, J, Hoidal, JR, Hueckstadt, T, Sanders, KA, Layec, G
N/A
In Preparation
31P-MRS of Alkaline Inorganic Phosphate in Young, Sedentary Adults: A Reproducibility Study
Matias, AA, Decker, ST, Nagarajan, R, Le Fur, Y, Layec, G
N/A
In Preparation
Central and Peripheral Cardiovascular Responses to Submaximal Plantar Flexion Exercise in Patients with COPD
Matias, AA, Thurston, T, Decker, ST, Hart, CH, Zhao, J, Le Fur, Y, Jeong, EK, Trinity, JD, Kwon, OS, Layec, G
N/A
In Preparation
Oral Presentations
The Physiological Role of Sirtuins: A Target for Aging or More Hype?
University of Amherst Department of Kinesiology
Amherst, Massachusetts
2019
Effects of Tetrahydrobiopterin on Limb Blood Flow and Muscle Metabolism in Patients with COPD
ISMRM Annual Meeting
Montreal, Quebec
2019
Selected Posters & Abstracts
Oxidative Stress Induced By Long-Term Cigarette Smoke Exposure Does Not Alter Mitochondrial Respiration in Skeletal Muscle of C57BL/6 Mice
New Insights into the Biology of Exercise
Keystone, Colorado
2020
Knockout of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) Increases Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria Content and Alters Mitochondrial Function
Muscle Biology Conference
Gainesville, Florida
2019
Effects of Tetrahydrobiopterin on Limb Blood Flow and Muscle Metabolism in Patients with COPD
ACSM Annual Meeting
Minneapolis, Minnesota
2018
Effects of Acute Exercise on Postprandial Lipemia and Postprandial Glycemia
Texas ACSM Regional Conference
Waco, Texas
2017
Funding
Teaching Philosophy
I am very enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and teaching. I believe it is important to acknowledge the numerous ways in which students learn, and how past personal experiences shape each student’s worldview and the learning process. Therefore, learning must be a journey that is tailored to students’ needs. I aim to bring an open mind and high expectations to the classroom, where I aspire to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that also encourages students to achieve higher learning outcomes.
Research Travel Award Recipient
University of Amherst Department of Kinesiology
N/A
2020
Awarded $500
Predoctoral Fellowship
American Heart Association
N/A
2019
Not Funded
Trainee Stipend Award
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
N/A
2019
Awarded $200 and Conference Registration
Student Research Development Award
Texas American College of Sports Medicine
N/A
2016
Awarded $500
Teaching Experience
KIN 272 - Anatomy and Physiology II (Instructor of Record)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
2021
Instructed 1 section of A&P II to over 20 undergraduate students with the goal of understanding human anatomy and physiology and applying that understanding to career goals and real-life case studies.
Kin 470 - Exercise Physiology Lab (TA)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
2021
Led 2 sections of Exercise Physiology Lab to over 20 upper-level undergraduate students with the goal of advancing student understanding of physiology and applying that understanding to career goals and real-life case studies.
KIN 270 - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (TA)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
2020
Led 5 sections of A&P I Lab to over 30 undergraduate students with the goal of understanding human anatomy and physiology and applying that understanding to career goals and real-life case studies.
Kin 570 - Advanced Exercise Physiology (TA)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
2019
Aided in teaching 15 graduate students (M.S.- & Ph.D.-level) with the goal of advancing students’ understanding of advanced topics in human physiology.
Kin 110 - Human Performance and Nutrition (TA)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
2019 - 2018
Led 7 discussion sections to over 200 undergraduate students over the course of 2 semesters with the goal of teaching students about healthy lifestyles.
Kin 100 - Physical Fitness Concepts and Activities (Instructor of Record)
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
2016 - 2015
Instructed 1 section of over 30 students with the goal of providing students insights to a healthy lifestyle.
KIN 120 - Foundations of Kinesiology (Instructor of Record)
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
2015
Instructed 1 section of over 30 students with the goal of introducing students to the field of kinesiology.
KIN 200 - Fitness Activites for Life (Instructor of Record)
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
2014
Instructed 1 section of over 30 students with the goal of developing student-centered fitness plans and goals which can be used throughout life.
American Red Cross CPR and Lifeguarding Instructor
Various
Texas
2016 - 2012
Led dozens of independent Lifeguard and CPR/AED + First Aid courses to hundreds of lifeguards.
Professional Development & Training
Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist
American College of Sports Medicine
Indianapolis, Indiana
Current
Certified Exercise Physiologist
American College of Sports Medicine
Indianapolis, Indiana
Current
Oroboros O2k-Workshop on High-Resolution Respirometry (HRR)
Oroboros Instruments
Schröcken, Austria
2019
Honors and Awards
Student Research Poster Finalist - Masters Category
Texas American College of Sports Medicine
Waco, Texas
2017
Undergraduate Research Conference Top Scholar
Stephen F. Austin State University School of Honors
Nacogdoches, Texas
2014
Trainees
Alexs Matias (Graduate)
Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K and the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound.
N/A
Present - 2019
M. Enes Erol (Graduate)
Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K and the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound.
N/A
Present - 2020
Mia Calderone (Undergraduate)
Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K and the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound.
N/A
Present - 2020
Jack Madden (Undergraduate)
Trained how to collect skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration data using the Oxygraph O2K.
N/A
Present - 2020
Jyotika Vallurupalli (Undergraduate)
Trained the assessment of vascular function using Doppler Ultrasound and continuous non-invasive arterial pressure.
N/A
2018 - 2021
Sebastien Rauch (Undergraduate)
Honors Thesis: Validity and Specificity of Tetramethylrhodamine, Methyl Ester (TMRM) Dye in Mice Gastrocnemius Muscle Fiber Bundles for Assessing Mitochondrial Membrane Potential.
N/A
2020 - 2018